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Ebb & Flow Arts bids aloha with a final concert in Makena

Promoting contemporary classical music, acclaimed pianist/composer Robert Pollock founded Ebb & Flow Arts in 1999. After 25 years of innovative programming, the arts organization will present their last concert on Maui on Aug. 23 at the Keawala’i Congregational Church.

The free concert will feature renowned pianist Alexandre Dossin with works by Sergei Prokofiev, George Gershwin, George Walker, and Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Professor of Piano at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance in Eugene, Dossin is a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. A prizewinner in several international piano competitions, he recently recorded the “Complete Piano Works” of George Walker for the Naxos American Classics series.

“We are thrilled to present Alexandre Dossin,” Pollock said. “He is a highly acclaimed pianist.”

Pollock reported Ebb & Flow Arts will cease concert presentations in Hawaii after the Dossin concert. “At 78, and after 25 years of E&FA, I am no longer able to lead the organization effectively. We accomplished our mission by placing modern music as part of the musical landscape in Hawaii. By new music standards, a modern music organization that lasted 25 years is positively ancient. They usually have less of a lifespan.”

Presenting eclectic programs by celebrated musicians over the years, E&FA thrilled appreciative audiences with some extraordinary, novel programs. Stunning multi-media events brought together dancers, painters, performance artists, and musicians like the late vibraphone/percussion virtuoso Emil Richards.

It was drummer Paul Marchetti, who recently passed, who introduced Richards to Ebb & Flow Arts. “Paul was a frequent participant in E&FA events,” said Pollock. “He connected us to his friend, world renowned vibraphonist Emil Richards. That collaboration led to several multimedia events with painting and music on Maui, as well as the release of the Maui Jazz Quartet CD.”

Other unique events included the Fusion Festival’s “Fourth Stream – Rock and Avant Garde” concert, Duo Diorama’s MingHuan Xu and Winston Choi, “Progressive Jazz from Germany and American Moderns,” a “Battle of the Pianists,” and a tribute to acclaimed African-American composer/pianist George Walker. There were also popular concerts with the Ebb & Flow Ensemble comprising violinist Ignace Jang, clarinetist Scott Anderson, cellist Mark Votapek of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, and Pollock, who premiered over 100 compositions by composers from around the world.

An important element in Ebb & Flow’s success, through the generosity of various grants, they were able to present programs at no charge to audiences.

“We’ve put on about 165 concerts, 1,300 music lessons in most of the public elementary schools, and produced roughly 600 works by 180 composers,” said Pollock. “I’m very proud. And we’ve had a lot of radio broadcasts, particularly of over the last four or five years on Mana’o Radio.”

Pianist Alexandre Dossin performs on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Keawala’i Congregational Church in Makena. A pre-concert discussion will take place at 6. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Admission is free.

Only $99/year

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